Pasta Wars: Pasta Makers Accused of Price fixing

Generally, everyone can agree that a dish of pasta constitutes a pretty cheap Italian meal. However, Italian authorities may not agree. After complaints from consumer groups, five of the major pasta producing companies including Barilla, Divella and Di Cecco are on the hot seat for what consumers call price fixing of the major pasta brands.

Over a two year period, prices of the various pastas rose as much as 36% simultaneously in order to control outside competition. Authorities have fined the companies over 12 million Euro. The union of pasta makers (don't you just love the fact that Italy has a "union of pasta makers") denies any wrong doing. More about pasta price fixing here.